When to take CPP - My Own Advisor

Avoiding some big retirement mistakes

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Mark | 31 Comments

Avoiding some big retirement mistakes In a few posts on my site over the years, I’ve shared some big retirement mistakes to avoid. This becomes even more important now that we’re entering a new chapter in our lives: semi-retirement /…

How your part-time job can support your retirement

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Mark | 12 Comments

How your part-time job can support your retirement You probably know from my site, including the last few years, I love sharing case studies. Part of the reason I enjoy doing so is because of positive reader feedback. Another reason:…

Financial Independence Update

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Mark | 61 Comments

Financial Independence Update Hey Folks! Hard to believe how time flies…and with summer 2024 approaching fast, I figured it would be a good time to check-in on this pillar post: our financial independence update. I look forward to your comments…as…

What is a LIRA and how should you invest in it?

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Mark | 84 Comments

What is a LIRA and how should you invest in it? Got a Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA)? On the cusp on getting a Locked-In Retirement Account thanks to your recent workplace changes? What the heck is a LIRA and why…

How much do you need to retire on $6,000 per month?

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Mark | 48 Comments

How much do you need to retire on $6,000 per month? In a previous post on my site, I highlighted how much you need to save to retire on $5,000 per month. That’s a decent retirement spend for some, but…

Weekend Reading – Financial Independence Update edition

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Mark | 20 Comments

Weekend Reading – Financial Independence Update edition Welcome to some new Weekend Reading: financial independence update edition. You can check out some other recent Weekend Reading editions below: The habits of successful investors can be found here. Is paying off…

Spend more or retire earlier in this bulletproof retirement plan

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Mark | 18 Comments

Spend more or retire earlier in this bulletproof retirement plan The following case study was a prepared a few months ago prior to our world getting rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how Sam, can spend more or retire earlier…

How to draw down a portfolio using Variable Percentage Withdrawal (VPW)

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Mark | 65 Comments

How to draw down a portfolio using Variable Percentage Withdrawal (VPW) This post turns the 4% rule on its head – how and why you should consider drawing down your portfolio using Variable Percentage Withdrawal (VPW). Asset accumulation is easy.…

When to take your CPP benefit

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Mark | 117 Comments

When to take your CPP benefit Readers of this blog will know I’m many years away from full-on retirement. This means I’ve got a couple of decades to worry about when to take my Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit. (That…

Mandatory Withdrawals – RRIF 101

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Mark | 41 Comments

Mandatory Withdrawals – RRIF 101 Mandatory account withdrawals – sounds fierce but that’s what a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is partly about. This is my favourite definition for a RRIF: it’s like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) in…